How real is truely real??????
is by any chance this world is ready for all the truth?
can i see all the things which people are ? or am i seeing the things which i really want to see?
How judjemental am i ? sexy? lovely ? personality? model?consumed with self thoughts? what am i really? talk too much? to much thinking? help me i don´t know what i want to write.....
will this world will be able to take all my writting?????
I don´t know but i really wanna experiment............
I am really in a time of my life which is just for experimenting ..................
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Jobless
Joblessness , how it will feel . I was contemplating this question for a long long time . I was working for L&T the day i turned to legal age of being employed, that is when i turned 18 . Never in this long service , in got fired. the maximum time i was away from work is when i take my exams. So literally i was never been jobless . But one fine morning i have decided to do the unimaginable (atleast for me) . I took a decision to resign from a well paying , highly respectable , very good boss . I resigned from L&T . I had some 50000 in my bank account . no major bills to pay except my phone ,n home & food . I became a jobless person . jobless , just jobless. my parents do not know , i told him some different versionn of story , which they will beleive , since i am not living with them . how i am feeling about it ? have i had the freedom , i thought i was lokking for ? how did i kkilled my time ? long long questiong , which i need to answer . but i am finally JOBLESS , no boss, no one to pay money to me, scary but really really what i want in my life right now .............
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A campaign to say NO
Dear all,
Planning to start a campaign to make Chennai say NO .
What it is about ? Keep your self glued here .
This campaign will start by May 15 , after my exam is over.
Planning to start a campaign to make Chennai say NO .
What it is about ? Keep your self glued here .
This campaign will start by May 15 , after my exam is over.
Exams Exams
Atlast , I am in the final semester of my studies . next two weekends I will be very busy with my Exams . I am wondering how my studies are going to End.I still remember my first day , now I am on last day . Time is tooooooooooo fast . I am not that much ok in loosing the student tag . I hate returning my identity card . I will miss my evening coffee in the crowded college canteen . But Change is must & I think my studies in this college for good .I have lost many opportunities to move out of Chennai. I have gained a lot . My studies made me to look behind horizon . It gave me confidence . But I hate to leave my college . Tree studded campus , red brick main hall, comments in classroom , gossips about the lecturer . Every one would love to relive their college life . Any way life moves on & on .
My Exam starts by May 3 & finishes by May 13 2010. I will be very very busy since i have to dig my notes , study it & clear my semester .
My Exam starts by May 3 & finishes by May 13 2010. I will be very very busy since i have to dig my notes , study it & clear my semester .
Friday, April 9, 2010
Kurai ondrum illai.........
Today , I made an effort to translate the famous KURAI ONDRUM ILLAI . The end result as below ,Also pls find the translieation below the translation.
I am content , oh my sweet sugary friend , I am content.
I am so content , My eyes always longs to see you in human form so as to attain bliss,
but you prefer showing us your different mirad images around me in all life forms & all the that of nature, hence I never regretted seeing u in human form
I love the fact that you are invisible , I love the fact that I am searching for u , Why I am so content just for the joy of searching you? Why I am so content ?
you are the one who gives the joy to every one , you are the joy , you are the happiness . You are the nectar of life , what else I can think of asking you ?
Do i really need any thing other than you ? Am I mad to ask for anything else other than you ?
Oh my sweet , sugary , chocolaty friend ............
U love to hide yourself behind the veil of maya , you love to hide yourself from my vision , only elite people can see you , but i started wondering do I relly want to see you ?
I am content , oh my sweet sugary friend , I am content.
you obeyed the hands of the sculpturer , you presented yourself as GOD in that stone, but only with my acknowledgement & love for you , you have become GOD>
I so wanted to hear the word “ NO “ from you , so I made all the greediest & craziest demands, but you always provided more than what I want & made me content............ I should be mad to expect any thing more from you. I am so content . I am so content.
===============================================================================================
KURAI ONDRUM ILLAI
kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
kuRai onRum illai kaNNaa
kuRai onRum illai GOvinda
Anupallavi [shiva ranjani ]
kaNNukku Theriyaamal niRkinRaay kaNNaa
kaNNukku Theriyaamal ninRaalum enakku
kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
CaraNam 1[ shiva ranjani ]
VEndiyathai thanNthida VEnkaTEsan enRirukka
VEndiyathu VERillai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinthaa GOvinda
CaraNam 2 [kaapi ]
[22 kharaharapriya janya]
thiraiyin pin niRkinRaay kaNNaa - unnai
maRai Othum NYaaniyar mattuME kaaNpaar
enRaalum kuRai onRum enakkillai kaNNaa
CaraNam 3 [kaapi ]
kunRin MEl kallaaki niRkinRa varathaa
kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinda GOvinda
CaraNam 4 [sindu bhairavi ]
kalinNaaLukkiranNgi kallilE iRangi
nilaiyaaga KOvilil niRkinRaay KEsavaa
CaraNam 5 [ sindu bhairavi ]
yaathum maRukkaatha malaiyappaa - un maarbil
Ethum thara niRkum karuNai kadal annai
enRum irunthida Ethu kuRai enakku
onRum kuRai illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinda GOvinda
I am content , oh my sweet sugary friend , I am content.
I am so content , My eyes always longs to see you in human form so as to attain bliss,
but you prefer showing us your different mirad images around me in all life forms & all the that of nature, hence I never regretted seeing u in human form
I love the fact that you are invisible , I love the fact that I am searching for u , Why I am so content just for the joy of searching you? Why I am so content ?
you are the one who gives the joy to every one , you are the joy , you are the happiness . You are the nectar of life , what else I can think of asking you ?
Do i really need any thing other than you ? Am I mad to ask for anything else other than you ?
Oh my sweet , sugary , chocolaty friend ............
U love to hide yourself behind the veil of maya , you love to hide yourself from my vision , only elite people can see you , but i started wondering do I relly want to see you ?
I am content , oh my sweet sugary friend , I am content.
you obeyed the hands of the sculpturer , you presented yourself as GOD in that stone, but only with my acknowledgement & love for you , you have become GOD>
I so wanted to hear the word “ NO “ from you , so I made all the greediest & craziest demands, but you always provided more than what I want & made me content............ I should be mad to expect any thing more from you. I am so content . I am so content.
===============================================================================================
KURAI ONDRUM ILLAI
kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
kuRai onRum illai kaNNaa
kuRai onRum illai GOvinda
Anupallavi [shiva ranjani ]
kaNNukku Theriyaamal niRkinRaay kaNNaa
kaNNukku Theriyaamal ninRaalum enakku
kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
CaraNam 1[ shiva ranjani ]
VEndiyathai thanNthida VEnkaTEsan enRirukka
VEndiyathu VERillai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinthaa GOvinda
CaraNam 2 [kaapi ]
[22 kharaharapriya janya]
thiraiyin pin niRkinRaay kaNNaa - unnai
maRai Othum NYaaniyar mattuME kaaNpaar
enRaalum kuRai onRum enakkillai kaNNaa
CaraNam 3 [kaapi ]
kunRin MEl kallaaki niRkinRa varathaa
kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinda GOvinda
CaraNam 4 [sindu bhairavi ]
kalinNaaLukkiranNgi kallilE iRangi
nilaiyaaga KOvilil niRkinRaay KEsavaa
CaraNam 5 [ sindu bhairavi ]
yaathum maRukkaatha malaiyappaa - un maarbil
Ethum thara niRkum karuNai kadal annai
enRum irunthida Ethu kuRai enakku
onRum kuRai illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinda GOvinda
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
WHY WE TREK?
Why we trek.
I’ve often found myself under scrutiny when someone asks the dubious question. Why do we trek. Mountains are like roads. You see the same things in different shapes and sizes. Some climbs, some walks, some water, some heat, some panic, some trepidation and some remorse. Mostly – some entertainment.
So why do we trek? Many non-trekkers have pondered me with the thought. Couldn’t you just spend the weekend chilling with a good food and a movie? Maybe a trip to the beach and some friends . Why go all the way into the mountains, hurt yourself, get tanned (not a particular problem for my well nurtured skin tone), get tired and suffer from cramps for the next 2 days! Why?
As trekkers, the answer is clear. It’s second nature – like riding a bicycle. But how do you explain this to a first timer or a non-trekker? Every step you take right from the point you leave the base camp to the stage when you are traveling back is a reflective education. To me, trekking is a school.
Humility to begin with. Life teaches you a little something when there are 40+ people endeavoring towards a single cause – fending for each other – walking hand in hand so to speak – with not a care for the countless self praise that we are so tuned into accumulating in the city life – and to be in the sheer presence of nature. Yes – there are things greater than I.
The very basic pre-requisite of carrying less to walk more is the shortest cut in learning the art of contentment. How little do we really need! A mat, some fruit, a few packets of ready-made poli, 2 servings of Maggi and maybe if you get lucky – some Chappati! Soon we learn that it’s a LOT for 2 days.
When I walked through Venkateswara, I couldn’t help notice in awe, the formation of mountain rocks. Could the tectonic activity that we’ve reluctantly heard about from a disgruntled geography teacher actually have been true? Does water really flow from the mountains into the valleys? If the water tastes so amazing here, then boy think of the centuries of pollution we must have dished out in the cities to be victimized with hard, insipid water. We are lucky however to be in an era where this level of nature is still accessible. What of our children, and then theirs? Mountains and Nature could merely become pages out of history books and that I am alive today to experience the wonder which centuries later – people might only read about (or watch in cgi).
Trekking is a school. Yes, it’s the same mountains and the same rocks. Yes there is some water and some of it “falls”. But when you see it, it’s awe inspiring. It’s magic – nothing less. When you wake up on a sleeping mat at 6am and with eyelids mustering strength to travel the 2 centimeters, the sight is one of hovering rocks and majestic ranges. Water ripples in the distant and the ear is soothened to contentment. Try experiencing that in a 30 by 30 apartment!
When books speak about a universal connection with all things living (and those that don’t), it’s not all fallacy. There’s significant truth in it and people see that in many ways. A few meditate. A few pursue music. We trek.
Trekking is a school and the knowledge is not only irreplaceable, it is acutely unobtainable within the walls of city life.
So – to the non-trekkers and the first timers who have found trekking an arduous challenge, I urge you to look deeper. The school is here today and it awaits students with an abundance of knowledge, education and love.
I’ve often found myself under scrutiny when someone asks the dubious question. Why do we trek. Mountains are like roads. You see the same things in different shapes and sizes. Some climbs, some walks, some water, some heat, some panic, some trepidation and some remorse. Mostly – some entertainment.
So why do we trek? Many non-trekkers have pondered me with the thought. Couldn’t you just spend the weekend chilling with a good food and a movie? Maybe a trip to the beach and some friends . Why go all the way into the mountains, hurt yourself, get tanned (not a particular problem for my well nurtured skin tone), get tired and suffer from cramps for the next 2 days! Why?
As trekkers, the answer is clear. It’s second nature – like riding a bicycle. But how do you explain this to a first timer or a non-trekker? Every step you take right from the point you leave the base camp to the stage when you are traveling back is a reflective education. To me, trekking is a school.
Humility to begin with. Life teaches you a little something when there are 40+ people endeavoring towards a single cause – fending for each other – walking hand in hand so to speak – with not a care for the countless self praise that we are so tuned into accumulating in the city life – and to be in the sheer presence of nature. Yes – there are things greater than I.
The very basic pre-requisite of carrying less to walk more is the shortest cut in learning the art of contentment. How little do we really need! A mat, some fruit, a few packets of ready-made poli, 2 servings of Maggi and maybe if you get lucky – some Chappati! Soon we learn that it’s a LOT for 2 days.
When I walked through Venkateswara, I couldn’t help notice in awe, the formation of mountain rocks. Could the tectonic activity that we’ve reluctantly heard about from a disgruntled geography teacher actually have been true? Does water really flow from the mountains into the valleys? If the water tastes so amazing here, then boy think of the centuries of pollution we must have dished out in the cities to be victimized with hard, insipid water. We are lucky however to be in an era where this level of nature is still accessible. What of our children, and then theirs? Mountains and Nature could merely become pages out of history books and that I am alive today to experience the wonder which centuries later – people might only read about (or watch in cgi).
Trekking is a school. Yes, it’s the same mountains and the same rocks. Yes there is some water and some of it “falls”. But when you see it, it’s awe inspiring. It’s magic – nothing less. When you wake up on a sleeping mat at 6am and with eyelids mustering strength to travel the 2 centimeters, the sight is one of hovering rocks and majestic ranges. Water ripples in the distant and the ear is soothened to contentment. Try experiencing that in a 30 by 30 apartment!
When books speak about a universal connection with all things living (and those that don’t), it’s not all fallacy. There’s significant truth in it and people see that in many ways. A few meditate. A few pursue music. We trek.
Trekking is a school and the knowledge is not only irreplaceable, it is acutely unobtainable within the walls of city life.
So – to the non-trekkers and the first timers who have found trekking an arduous challenge, I urge you to look deeper. The school is here today and it awaits students with an abundance of knowledge, education and love.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Weekend ( 3 & 4 / 4 / 2010 ) at coimbatore
Another week end & another place to go . This week end , I selected a place with lots of scope for doing different things . I went to Velliyangoro / Isha Yoga center at coimbatore . I did trekking , I did yoga (!) , I had a rejuvenating body massage , I watched a movie & what not .
I have done the following things in the last two days
A) Spent some time at ISHA YOGA CENTER . The rating for the center is as below ,
TOP 5 at ISHA YOGA CENTER :
1)Food – day 2 . Amazing chappathis , buttermilk , Salads – The taste is divine , Hope it had lots of people's love in it as ingredient
2)Food – day two . Kanchi , with ash gourd sambar is ecastacy.
3) Architecture of all the buildings
4) Head , shoulder & full body massage with mud pack at ISHA rejuvenating center – Wonderfully relaxing
5)????????
(sorry prasanth & other ISHA yogis , yoga has not even came close to top 5 in this trip . I know Yoga on other side of the river looks only funny to me , Hope i will cross this river in near future & attain NIRVANA )
B) Done trekking to velliyangirir top , the kailash of south India . The stay on chilly night on the top was freezing & the sun rise is a treat to the eyes.
C) Bought some flowering plants , to improve my Garden.
D) walked along the famous opanakara veedi , Raja street of Coimbatore , All the shops in Coimbatore has branches in chennai ,like nalli, big bazar , chennai silks , etc , only window shopping .
E) Saw the telugu movie “VARUDU” although i don't understand a word of Telugu . I had to kill time since i had 2 hrs for my bus & i badly needed a A/C climate owing to hot Coimbatore Evening .The Movie is all crap , but there was lots of whistling to the Hero . Until interval the heroine was in screen for 3 min & 23 seconds only , all other time , hero , hero & hero . Crap .
F) Had idly sambar at famous GOWRISHANKAR hotel in Cbt , it tastes similar to TRIPLICANE RATNA CAFE SAMBAR.
G) Came back to chennai in sleeper bus , your bowl should be perfect shape to travel in the sleeper of a bus , otherwise u r in deep deep trouble.
Since many people complained that I am writing big blogs I am completing my weekend (3 to 4 / 4 / 2010 ) blog with this .
I have done the following things in the last two days
A) Spent some time at ISHA YOGA CENTER . The rating for the center is as below ,
TOP 5 at ISHA YOGA CENTER :
1)Food – day 2 . Amazing chappathis , buttermilk , Salads – The taste is divine , Hope it had lots of people's love in it as ingredient
2)Food – day two . Kanchi , with ash gourd sambar is ecastacy.
3) Architecture of all the buildings
4) Head , shoulder & full body massage with mud pack at ISHA rejuvenating center – Wonderfully relaxing
5)????????
(sorry prasanth & other ISHA yogis , yoga has not even came close to top 5 in this trip . I know Yoga on other side of the river looks only funny to me , Hope i will cross this river in near future & attain NIRVANA )
B) Done trekking to velliyangirir top , the kailash of south India . The stay on chilly night on the top was freezing & the sun rise is a treat to the eyes.
C) Bought some flowering plants , to improve my Garden.
D) walked along the famous opanakara veedi , Raja street of Coimbatore , All the shops in Coimbatore has branches in chennai ,like nalli, big bazar , chennai silks , etc , only window shopping .
E) Saw the telugu movie “VARUDU” although i don't understand a word of Telugu . I had to kill time since i had 2 hrs for my bus & i badly needed a A/C climate owing to hot Coimbatore Evening .The Movie is all crap , but there was lots of whistling to the Hero . Until interval the heroine was in screen for 3 min & 23 seconds only , all other time , hero , hero & hero . Crap .
F) Had idly sambar at famous GOWRISHANKAR hotel in Cbt , it tastes similar to TRIPLICANE RATNA CAFE SAMBAR.
G) Came back to chennai in sleeper bus , your bowl should be perfect shape to travel in the sleeper of a bus , otherwise u r in deep deep trouble.
Since many people complained that I am writing big blogs I am completing my weekend (3 to 4 / 4 / 2010 ) blog with this .
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Week end at kodaikanal -
I am not going to give OSCAR winning speech thanking the organisers , but ORGANISERS can feel proud for having organized such a wonderful trek & participants should realize the amount of planning & time the ORGINISERS would have in making this a memorable TREK
Pro's :
Climate – Imagine 1000's of A/c .Pure unadulterated , non polluted air .
Climate – Winter effect in Summer
Climb down at THALAIVETTI falls & lunch(!) spot .
Freezing water bath .
Cool gang & lots of experienced trekkers in the team. Lots of friend made , lots of friendship strengthened.
Con's :
Very less water – Water , pools & falls being a part of all our treks , we missed all the diving , swimming & actions
Seeing paved Tar road on day one of the trek.
Seeing human intervention in cutting forest . Lots of chain saw , lorry's - Exploiting mother nature , too sad to see
This Con is purely my individual opinion – I was just a participant & I am totally ignorant about the administrative, legal & safety aspects of not having a guide – The trail is too easy for CTC 'ians & I don't think there is any necessity of a guide, who I think is bit costly.
It is really freezing in the night & under-prepared guys had tough time sleeping in the night.
Our contribution to EARTH HOUR :
Total fuel saved : 100 litres
( 40 individuals X atleast 100 kms driving in two days , considering 4o km mileage )
Pollution not created due to non usage of fossil fuel
Energy saved for processing , distributing & selling of fossil fuel
Total electricity saved: 2600 units of Electric power
( 40 individuals X 65 units )
Per Individual :
Fan @ 40 hrs =25 units
Light @ 25 hr =20 units
electricity for other uses =25 units
Total Electricity saved / individual =65 units
Pollution prevented due to usage of electricity
Energy saved for processing , distributing & selling of fossil fuel
I think we made a big impact for the last two days against the 1 hr requested by the WWF as EARTH HOUR.
TThanks to my friends for sharing some of the most beautiful pics
Monday, March 29, 2010
Day was made good with this fantastic song
After a long time , I heard this song in FM . I just got melted away .........
what a lyrics,
Lyrics of Kannukku Mai Azhagu from Pudhiya Mugam
Pallavi
Kannukku Mai Azhagu
Kavidhaikku Poi Azhagu
Avaraikku Poo Azhagu
Avarukku Naan Azhagu
Kannukku Mai Azhagu
Kavidhaikku Poi Azhagu
Avaraikku Poo Azhagu
Avarukku Naan Azhagu
Charanam 1
Mazhai Nindra Pinnallum
Ilai Sindhum Thuli Azhagu
Alai Meendum Ponalum
Karai Konda Nurai Azhagu
Imai Kottum Vin Azhagu
Iravodu vaan Azhagu
Illamaram Kannukku
Eppodhum Naan Azhagu
Kannukku Mai Azhagu...
Charanam 2
Ananda Manjathil
Avizhnthalum Kuzhal Azhagu
Adayala Muthathil
Azhindhalum Pott-azhagu
Pennodu Kadhal Vandhal
Pirai Kooda Perazhagu
Ennodu Nee Irundhal
Irul Kooda Ore Azhagu
Kannukku Mai Azhagu...
Youtube link is here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO9AemTUNb0
what a lyrics,
Lyrics of Kannukku Mai Azhagu from Pudhiya Mugam
Pallavi
Kannukku Mai Azhagu
Kavidhaikku Poi Azhagu
Avaraikku Poo Azhagu
Avarukku Naan Azhagu
Kannukku Mai Azhagu
Kavidhaikku Poi Azhagu
Avaraikku Poo Azhagu
Avarukku Naan Azhagu
Charanam 1
Mazhai Nindra Pinnallum
Ilai Sindhum Thuli Azhagu
Alai Meendum Ponalum
Karai Konda Nurai Azhagu
Imai Kottum Vin Azhagu
Iravodu vaan Azhagu
Illamaram Kannukku
Eppodhum Naan Azhagu
Kannukku Mai Azhagu...
Charanam 2
Ananda Manjathil
Avizhnthalum Kuzhal Azhagu
Adayala Muthathil
Azhindhalum Pott-azhagu
Pennodu Kadhal Vandhal
Pirai Kooda Perazhagu
Ennodu Nee Irundhal
Irul Kooda Ore Azhagu
Kannukku Mai Azhagu...
Youtube link is here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO9AemTUNb0
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Events for u today in Chennai 26/03/2010
| ||||||
| Art | Top | |||||
| Ancient Earth Friday, March 26th, 2010. Apparao Galleries, 7 Wallace Garden, 3rd Street, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam Witness a digital mediations by Chittrovanu Mazumdar at Apparao Art Gallery. The artist is showcasing a special collection of digital mediations for interaction with art enthusiasts. | ||||||
| Dots & Tirangles Friday, March 26th, 2010. 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Forum Art Gallery 57 Padmanabha Nagar, 5th Street , Adyar A small format painting exhibition by K Srinivasan. | ||||||
| Paintings by Gangatharan Friday, March 26th, 2010. Ayya Art Galleries 33 Woods Road (Near Royapettah Clock Tower) , Anna Salai One of the more and experienced artists, Gangatharan is displaying his art at a solo show. His distinct strokes and colours are displayed through his works. He has a very different way of expressing his thoughts. | ||||||
| Tranquility Friday, March 26th, 2010. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Taj Mount Road No 2, Club House Road , Mount Road The Faraway Tree Gallery orgainzes an exhibition of selection of works that create a sense of calm and serenity. Participating artists include Akkitham Narayanan, Akmal Hussain, Babu Eshwar Prasad, Gurdeep Singh, John Tun Sein, Nirmala Biluka, Kirti Chandak, Premalatha Seshadri and limited edition lithographs of SH Raza. | ||||||
| Paintings by Basanth Peringode Friday, March 26th, 2010. Apparao Galleries 7 Wallace Garden, 3rd Street, Khader Nawaz Khan Road , Nungambakkam The talented artist, Basanth Peringode's unique pieces of art are comprehensive yet abstract with an with an abundant use of blue. Basanth plays with the emotions and portraits of human forms. | ||||||
| Middle Order Friday, March 26th, 2010. Gallery Sri Parvati 28/260 , Eldams Road An exhibition of art by upcoming artists N Srinivasan, K Balasubramaniam, Prabhakaran, Vinay Kumar, Rama Suresh and Kalaiselvan. The works depict many phases of human life and emotions and various other elements too. | ||||||
| Exhibitions | Top | |||||
| Memoirs: Joel Suganth & Marie-Paule Serre Friday, March 26th, 2010. Alliance Française of Madras New No.24 (Old no. 40), College Road , Nungambakkam Joel Suganth & Marie-Paule Serre's photographic marvels on display at the Alliance Francaise Gallery as a part of the ongoing festival of France, Bonjour India. | ||||||
| Angloscapes - A Slice of Life Friday, March 26th, 2010. 7 p.m. The Madras Terrace House No 15 Sripuram, II Street , Royapettah An exhibition of photographs from the past of the Anglo-Indian Community on display at the Madras Terrace House. The display depicts old photographs of lives and experiences by many anglo-Indian families and individuals from different parts of British India. | ||||||
| The Game Friday, March 26th, 2010. Gallery Sumukha 187 St Mary's Road , Alwarpet Photographs by Ravi Kumar Kashi on display at Gallery Sumukha. The Game is a set of 25 photographs, printed on archival paper and a video work, titled 'Chest of Secrets'. | ||||||
| Shopping | Top | |||||
| Spring 2010 Collection Friday, March 26th, 2010. Brass Tacks, 77/13 Corporation Shopping Complex, CP Ramaswamy Road Brass Tacks presents the Spring 2010 collection with singer and radio Show host, Suchitra Karthik Kumar. Brasstacks uses handloom textiles to create well-tailored, fashion-forward garments. | ||||||
| Spring Summer Collection Friday, March 26th, 2010. Wills Lifestyle, 19 Quaiser Towers Ground Floor, Khader Nawaz Khan Road,, Nungambakkam Wills Lifestyle presents the all new Spring-Summer collection. In stores, now a symphony of fashionable designer, elegant work, relaxed sport & chic evening wear. | ||||||
| Esprit March Collection Friday, March 26th, 2010. Esprit, No 8 Buva House, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakam Usher the new season with a riot of colours, a splash of freshness fuelled with an inimitable style quotient!! This March, Esprit unleashes a collection which is bright, vivid, joyful and, at the same time elegant and splendid. Esprit’s March collection is high on fashion, comfort, and versatility. Fashion has turned on the charm with oversized T-shirts, Parkas, Tunic-dresses and extra long blazers, teamed up with slim denims and leggings for women. | ||||||
| Creative Bee Friday, March 26th, 2010. Amethyst, Sundar Mahal, Rani Padmavathy Road, Jeypore Colony, Gopalapuram Kiran Rao gives a preview of sensuous textures in natural yarns and beautiful weaves by Bina Rao of Creative Bee. | ||||||
| South Indian Inspired Gold Jewellery Collection Friday, March 26th, 2010. Jaipur Gems, No 50/1, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram Transporting the grandeur and radiance of the by-gone era to the contemporary age is Jaipur Gems, the brand that exhibits some of the most exotic pieces of “South Indian Inspired Gold Jewellery” to its connoisseurs! The range of jewellery displays jewellery pieces that are traditional, classic and truly opulent. The charm of gold is timeless and it truly captures the cultural zenith of the royal era. Once perceived as loud and heavy, this jewellery form is today more appreciated in contemporary, modern and customized designs by jewellery lovers. | ||||||
| Threads of Freedom Friday, March 26th, 2010. Evoluzione Clothing, 30 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam Evoluzione presents Threads of Freedom by Rahul Mishra. The unique Khadi collection is down to earth yet fashionably modern, based on ancient crafts and yet for the Women of Today. We present to you ‘Threads of freedom’. With geometrical stripes and checks, classic muted colors of Black, Ivory, Grey and Indigo Blue, using sheer fabrics with a natural look and feel, and drapes and wraps using Origami techniques,the handspun organic khadi has been revolutionized. | ||||||
| Beauty & Wellness | Top | |||||
| Anamai Body Reviver Friday, March 26th, 2010. Prana, Asiana hotel, 1/238 Semmenchery, Old Mahabalipuram Road Surrender to the healing touch of this unique massage that is a combination of acupressure, gentle stretching and oil massage. Feel nourished and enriched with this treatment that helps to reinforce your immune system, reduce stress, improve posture and enhance your vitality. | ||||||
| Balinese Massage for the Summers Friday, March 26th, 2010. Courtyard by Marriott 564 Anna Salai , Teynampet Balinese massage helps in providing relief from sleep disorder, migraine, depression, headache, asthma, allergy, muscle pain and other respiratory problems. | ||||||
| Experience Luxury with Seah Hair Spa@Jiva Friday, March 26th, 2010. Taj Fisherman's Cove, No 2 Covelong Beach, Kanchipuram District The dedicated team of Seah from Schwarzkopf Professionalin coordination with the Jiva Spas, brings to you a premium range of hair care range inspired by spa rituals and traditions from the world over. | ||||||
| Special Events | Top | |||||
| Explocity@barista Friday, March 26th, 2010. 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Barista Coffee, Dr Radhakrishnan salai, Mylapore Explocity@Barista provides a platform for talented upcoming artistes, musicians, solo performers, stand up comedians, poetry readers and the like to express themselves and entertain an audience. Registrations open - Interested participants can write to us at pr@explocity.com. | ||||||
| Eating Out | Top | |||||
| Mangalorean Food Fest Friday, March 26th, 2010. 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Southern Spice Taj Coromandel, 37Nungambakkam High Road , Nungambakkam Exotic dishes like Samak Seek Kebab, Rampuri Murg Tikka, Seekh Lab-E-Mashooq, Arvi Anjeer Kebab, Taar Korma, Murg Zigda, Shaljam Zafrani and Mirchi Ka Halwa. and lots of vegetarian options. | ||||||
| Family Day Out Friday, March 26th, 2010. Garden Café, GRT Hotel 531 GST Road, St Thomas Mount Radisson GRT presents two new exciting family packages at the Garden Cafe. 'Family Day Out' is a Sunday brunch at the poolside which includes a wide spread of brunch selection with live stations, chioce of mocktails and complimentary glass of wine. 'Weekend Buffet' is on all Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with a multi-cuisine spread. | ||||||
| Happy Hours Friday, March 26th, 2010. 9 p.m. Additional Timings: From 9pm till the store is open. Barista Coffee, No 4, Near Mafoi Consultants, Khader Nawaz Khan Road , Nungambakkam Barista Lavazza presents the Happy Hours offering a discount of 20% on its delicious menu range of international breads | ||||||
| Vietnamese Food Festival Friday, March 26th, 2010. Hip Asia, Taj Connemara, Binny Road, Anna Salai Hip Asia celebrates the exotic Vietnamese cuisine with a food festival. The specialty dishes for this fest are Asparagus and crab meat soup, Vietnamese pho soup, Pan seared salmon with basil and tamarind sauce, Red cari fish, Stewed chicken with ginger, mushroom and basil Lamb Shanks with chilli, oyster and caramel sauce, Vietnamese yellow cari vegetable, Babycorn, asparagus and tofu with Saigon chilli sauce, Stir fried rice noodle with Vegetables topped with plum sauce marinated grilled chicken supreme etc. | ||||||
| Time for Thaali Friday, March 26th, 2010. 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Hotel Green Park No 183 N.S.K. Salai , Vadapalani The thali is centred around a balanced vegetarian diet with rice, lentils, and freshly cooked vegetables in the form of poriyal, kootu, masiyal and curry—the very combination preferred by many die-hard vegetarians. | ||||||
| Nightlife | Top | |||||
| Couples Night Friday, March 26th, 2010. 8 p.m. Bunker Dee Cee Manor , T Nagar It's the best of rock, so shake a leg, and let your hair down. Plus one drink and snack on the house. | ||||||
| Retro Friday Friday, March 26th, 2010. 8 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. 10 Downing Street No 50, Kences Inn, B.N Road , T Nagar DJ Gaurav spins a funky retro set every Friday. | ||||||
| Retro Friday with DJ Eddy Friday, March 26th, 2010. 8 p.m. Additional Timings: 8pm to 1am Zara - Tapas Pub, 74 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram Go back to those glorious years of Retro music tonight! Swing and sway to the tracks played by DJ Eddy. | ||||||
| House sessions Friday, March 26th, 2010. Pasha, The Park, 601 Anna Salai, Nungambakkam Enjoy the house tracks at Pasha tonight. | ||||||
| Commercial Night Friday, March 26th, 2010. Flame, Le Royal Meridien,, St Thomas Mount Enjoy great commercial music tonight at Flame. | ||||||
| Night for the Ladies Friday, March 26th, 2010. Distil, Taj Connemara, Binny Road, Anna Salai All you lovely ladies head to Distil tonight for some great cocktails and music. | ||||||
| IPL Events | Top | |||||
| IPL fever@Havana Friday, March 26th, 2010. Havana Raintree Hotels, 120 St. Mary's Road , Alwarpet During the IPL Season 3, Havana offers a number of offers. Powerplay (Happy Hours) from 4pm to 9pm, Buy 4 Kingfisher pint beerand pay for 3, buy one Blavod Vodka and get one free, every Chennai Super Kings match lucky winner gets a complimentary lunch buffet for two at Lemongrass and much more. | ||||||
| IPL at High Time Friday, March 26th, 2010. High Time GRT Grand, 120 Sir Thyagaraya Road , T Nagar Watch IPL Season 3 with the special offers at High Time. Choose from unlimited or limited supply of your favourite white or dark spirits, and an unlimited supply of beer. | ||||||
| IPL@Residency Towers Friday, March 26th, 2010. Bike & Barrel The Residency Towers, Sir Thyagaraya Rd , T Nagar This IPL season, head to Bike & Barrel to enjoy uninterrupted telecast in high definition. Cheer your favorite team over live commentary for select matches and finest spirits. | ||||||
| IPL 2010 at The Residency Friday, March 26th, 2010. Black & White The Residency , G N Chetty Road Enjoy cricket as you would at the stadium with live commentary for select matches. | ||||||
| IPL Bonanza Friday, March 26th, 2010. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Paprika Courtyard by Marriott, 564 Anna Salai , Teynampet Enjoy unlimited Kingfisher beer for Rs. 500 on all match days. To quell hunger pangs there is the option of upgrading to an exotic dinner buffet with the food and beer package | ||||||
Shiing stars in my college
OK , I attended my class by 8 pm & got attendance for all the three hours .
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
North Madras - A Luv affair Victoria Public hall
North Madras . Lots of NEW CHENNAI people don't even know where is this place , except Central station . If your software company does well , you might not even seen Chennai Central , as u will fly directly to destination from Airport at South Chennai.
But North Chennai is what British founded from scratch . yes it was for their own selfish motto , but we have to agree that we are still enjoying the fruits . It is the place which got transfered from a small fishing village to a sprawling metropolis , which is now ranks no 2 as the most livable city in India , which is called Detroit of India & with sprawling IT Market .
North Madras always associates & always stands as a testimony for the beginning of a City. It stands as a record of birth of a metropolis . Buildings constructed in 1800's . street's bearing names of Viceroy's . The attached pics are Victoria buildings next to chennai central & adjacent to Rippon Buildings. Constructed in 1883 this is such a treat to your eyes in the otherwise dirty chennai central locality.
Thanks to the Govenment of Tamilnadu & Madras(Chennai!) corporation , all the encrochements are taken out & it is now under renovation . It gave me immense pleasure to visit the place . It is like walking in History . Victorian styled building right in your city , no need to travel to London to have a look.
The structure withstood the test of TIME . It is standing as a Monument of the Past & always overlooks a city which has grown in boundaries , which gave work & home to many , many people .
I love these kinds of things which forms a bridge between Past , present & future . A walk along the side of this building feels very very good . So people , pls flock to the place .
South chennai has to wait for another 100 years to claim a building like this . sky scrappers gives us food ( by the virtue of we working there ), but these kind of Buildings gives History which makes u to look at the past from a first hand perspective .
I had a great time today . Since it is a Working day , No one was there . Just me , the old building & few people working there .
I loved the time spent near the structure . No statues , No ads , No political banner .No entry fees. I thought how this structure would have helped people back them . I just wanted to know that since it was under renovation , I am not able to get any details .
Hope when they open the same after renovation , I might get some answers .
I spent some time looking at how this old beauty trying to rejunuvate itself .
I think Chennai will go long way , if it tries to reinvent itself from Old Madras.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
GOD Vs godman -From an Atheist JAVED AKHTAR
I am a firm believer of GOD .I firmly believe in DESTINY also , I believe in NATURE but not godman.
I loved these words of an atheist . True for every word .But at the end of the day Quoting hisown words , I prefer to call every thing that is called NATURE as GOD.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SPEECH BY JAVED AKHTAR at INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE.
I am quite sure ladies and gentlemen, that in this august assembly nobody would envy my position at this moment. Speaking after such a charismatic and formidable personality like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is like coming out of the pavilion to play after Tendulkar has made a sparkling century. But in some weak moment I had committed myself.
There are certain things that I would like to make very clear at the very outset. Don’t get carried away by my name – Javed Akhtar. I am not revealing a secret, I am saying something that I have said many times, in writing or on TV, in public…I am an atheist, I have no religious beliefs. And obviously I don’t believe in spirituality of some kind. Some kind.
Another thing. I am not standing here to criticize, analyze, or attack this gentleman who is sitting here. We have a very pleasant, civilized relation. I have always found him to be an extremely courteous person.
One is talking about an idea, an attitude, a mindset. Not any individual.
I must tell you that when Rajeev opened this session, for a moment I felt that I have come to the wrong place. Because, if we are discussing the philosophy of Krishan and Gautam and Kabir, Vivekanand, then I have nothing to say. I can sit down right now. I am not here to discuss a glorious past of which I suppose every Indian is proud, and rightly so. I am here to discuss a dubious present.
India Today has invited me and I have come here to talk of spirituality today. Let’s not be confused by this word spirituality, you can find two people with the same name and they can be totally different people. Ram Charit Manas was written by Tulsidas. And the television film has been made by Ramanand Sagar. Ramayan is common but I don’t think it would be very wise to club Tulsidas with Ramanand Sagar. I remember, when he had written Ramcharit Manas, he had faced a kind of a social boycott. How could he write a holy book in such a language like Avadhi? Sometimes I wonder fundamentalists of all hues and all colors, religions and communities…how similar they are. In 1798, a gentleman called Shah Abdul Qadir, in this very city, for the first time translated Quran in Urdu, and all the ulemas of that time gave fatwa against him that how could he translate this holy book in such a heathen language.
When Tulsi wrote Ramcharit Manas and he was boycotted, I remember a chowpai that he had written.
“Dhut kaho abdhut kaho rajput kaho ki julawa kohu
Kohu ki beti se beta na biahab, kohu ki jaat bigaar na chahu
Mang ke khaibo, mehjid ma raihbo, lebe ka ek na debe ka dohu”
Ramanand Sagar, when he made his television serial, he made millions. I am not undermining him, but obviously he is much lower in the rung.
I will give you another example. Perhaps it would be more direct and more appropriate. Gautam came out of a palace and went into wilderness to find the truth. But nowadays we see, the modern age gurus, come out of the wilderness and wind up in the palaces. They are moving in the opposite direction. We can’t talk of them in the same breath. So let us not hide behind names which are dear and respectable for every Indian.
When I was invited to give this talk, I felt that yes, I am an atheist, try to be a rationalist in any given situation, Maybe that’s why I have been called. But suddenly I have realized that there is another quality that I share with Modern Age gurus. I work in films. We have lot in common. Both of us, sell dreams, both of us create illusions, both of us create icons, but with a difference. After three hours we put a placard – the end. Go back to reality. They don’t.
So ladies and gentlemen, let me make it very clear that I have come to talk of this spirituality that has a supermarket in the world. Arms, drugs and spirituality – these are the three big businesses in the world. But in arms and drugs you really have to do something, give something. That’s the difference. Here you don’t have to give anything.
In this supermarket you get instant Nirvana, Moksha by mail, a crash course in self realization, cosmic consciousness in four easy lessons. This supermarket has its chain all over the world, where the restless elite buy spiritual fast food. I am talking about this spirituality.
Plato in his dialogues has said many a wise thing, and one of them is – before starting any discussion decide on the meanings of words. Let us try to decide on the meaning of this word spirituality. Does it mean love for mankind that transcends all religion, caste, creed, race? Is that so? Then I have no problem. Except that I call it humanity. Does it mean love of plants, trees, mountains, oceans, rivers, animals? The non-human world? If that is so, again I have no problem at all. Except that I call it environmental consciousness. Does spirituality mean heartfelt regard for social institutions like marriage, parenthood, fine arts, judiciary, freedom of expression. I have no problem again sir, how can I disagree here? I call it civil responsibility. Does spirituality mean going into your own world trying to understand the meaning of your own life? Who can object on that? I call it self-introspection, self assessment. Does spirituality mean Yoga? Thanks to Patanjali, who has given us the details of Yoga, Yam, Yatam, aasan, pranayam…We may do it under any name, but if we are doing pranayam, wonderful. I call it healthcare. Physical fitness.
Now is it a matter of only semantics. If all this is spirituality, then what is the discussion. All these words that I have used are extremely respectable and totally acceptable words. There is nothing abstract or intangible about them. So why stick to this word spirituality? What is there in spirituality that has not been covered by all these words? Is there something? If that is so then what is that?
Somebody in return can ask me what is my problem with this word. I am asking to change it, leave it, drop it, make it obsolete but why so? I will tell you what is my reservation. If spirituality means all this then there is no discussion. But there is something else which makes me uneasy. In a dictionary, the meaning of spirituality is rooted in a word called “spirit”. When mankind didn’t know whether this earth is round or flat, he had decided that human beings are actually the combination of two things. Body and spirit. Body is temporary, it dies. But the spirit is, shall I say, non-biodegradable. In your body you have a liver and heart and intestines and the brain, but since the brain is a part of the body, and mind lies within the brain, it is inferior because ultimately the brain too shall die with the body, but don’t worry, you are not going to die, because you are your spirit, and the spirit has the supreme consciousness that will remain, and whatever problem you have is because you listen to your mind. Stop listening to your mind. Listen to your spirit – the supreme consciousness that knows the cosmic truth. All right. It’s not surprising that in Pune there is an ashram and I used to go there. I loved the oratory. On the gate of the lecture hall there was a placard. Leave your shoes and minds here. There are other gurus who don’t mind if you carry your shoes. But minds?…sorry.
Now, if you leave your mind what do you do? You need the Guru to find the next station of consciousness. That hides somewhere in the spirit. He has reached the supreme consciousness, he knows the supreme truth. But can he tell you. No sir, he cannot tell you. So can you find out on your own? No sir, you need the guru for that. You need him but he cannot guarantee that you will know the ultimate truth… and what is that ultimate truth? What is the cosmic truth? Relating to cosmos? I have really not been able to understand that. The moment we step out of the solar system the first star is Alpha.Centueri It is just four light years away. How do I relate to that!! What do I do!!
So the emperor is wearing robes that only the wise can see. And the emperor is becoming bigger and bigger. And there are more and more wise people who are appreciating the robe.
I used to think that actually spirituality is the second line of defence for the religious people. When they get embarrassed about traditional religion, when it starts looking too down-market, they hide behind this smokescreen of cosmos and super consciousness. But that is not the complete truth. Because the clientele of traditional religion and spirituality is different. You take the map of the world, you start marking places which are extremely religious, within India or outside India, Asia, Latin America, Europe…wherever. You will find that wherever there is lot of religion there is lack of human rights. There is repression. Anywhere. Our Marxist friends used to say that religion is the opium of poor masses, the sigh of the oppressed. I don’t want to get into that discussion. But spirituality nowadays is definitely the tranquilizer of the rich.
You see that the clientele is well heeled, it is the affluent class. Alright, so the guru gets power, high self esteem, status, wealth…(which is not that important), power…and lot of wealth too. What does the disciple get? When I looked at them carefully I realized that there are categories and categories of these disciples. It’s not a monolith. There are different kinds of followers. Different kinds of disciples. One, who is rich, successful, doing extremely well in his life, making money, gaining property. Now, since he has everything he wants absolution too. So guru tells him – whatever you are doing, is “niskaam karma” – you are playing a role, this is all “Maya”, the money that you are making everyday and the property that you are acquiring, you are not emotionally involved with it. You are just playing a role. You come to me because you are in search of eternal truth. Maybe your hands are dirty, but your spirit and soul are pure. And this man, he starts feeling wonderful about himself. For seven days he is exploiting the world, and at the end of the seven days when he goes and sits at the feet of the guru, he feels – I am a sensitive person.
There is another category. That too comes from the affluent class. But he is not the winner like the first one. You know winning or losing that is also relative. A rickshaw-wallah if he is gambling on the pavement and wins hundred rupees will feel victorious, and if a corporate man makes only 300 million dollars, while his brother is a billionaire, he will feel like a failure. Now, what does this rich failure do? He needs a guru to tell him – who says that you have failed? You have other worlds, you have another vision, you have other sensibility that your brother doesn’t have. He thinks that he is successful…wrong. The world is very cruel, you know. The world tells you honestly, no sir, you have got three out of ten. The other person has seven out of ten. Fair. They will treat you that way and they will meet you that way. There he gets compassion. There he plays another game.
Another category. And I will talk about this category not with contempt or with any sense of superiority, not any bitterness, but all the compassion available one that is a very big client of this modern day guru and today’s spirituality, is the unhappy rich wife.
Here is a person who put all her individuality, aspirations and dreams, and her being at the altar of marriage and in return she got an indifferent husband. Who at the most gave her a couple of children. Who is rather busy with his work, or busy with other women. This woman needs a shoulder. She knows that she is an existential failure. There is nothing to look forward to. She has a vacuous, empty, comfortable yet purposeless life. It’s sad, but it is true.
Then there are other people. Who are suddenly traumatized. They lose a child. The wife dies. The husband dies. Or they lose the property, they lose their business. Something happens that shocks them and they ask – why me? So who do they ask? They go to the Guru. And the guru tells him that this is Karma. But there is another world if you follow me. Where there is no pain. Where there is no death. Where there is immortality. Where there is only bliss. He tells all these unhappy souls – follow me and I will take you to the heaven, to the paradise, where there is no pain. I am sorry sir, it is disappointing but true that there is no such paradise. Life will always have a certain quota of pain, of hurts, a possibility of defeats. But they do get some satisfaction.
Somebody may ask me if they are feeling better, if they are getting peace then what is your problem. It reminds me of a story that I have read. It’s an old Indian story told by a sage, that a hungry dog finds a dry bone and tries to eat it and in the process bites its own tongue. And the tongue is bleeding and the dog feels that he is getting nourishment from the bone.
I feel sad. I don’t want them, these adults, to behave like this because I respect them. Drugs and alcohol are also supposed to give mental peace and serenity, but is that kind of piece or serenity desirable or advisable? The answer is no. Any mental peace that is not anchored in rational thoughts is nothing but self-deception. Any serenity that takes you away from truth is just an illusion – a mirage. I know that there is a kind of a security in this which is like the security of a tri-cycle. If you are riding a tri-cycle you can’t fall. But adults do not ride tricycles. They ride bi-cycles. They can even fall. It is a part of life.
There is one more kind. Like everybody who is the member of the golf club is not fond of golf. In the same way everybody who is seen in an ashram is not a spiritual person. A film producer who is an ardent follower of a guru, whose ashram is about two hours from Delhi once told me that you must go to my Guru. You will see the who’s who of Delhi there. Let me tell you my Guruji is another Chandraswami in the making. Now this is a contact point for networking.
I have great respect for people who are spiritual, or religious, and in spite of this they are good people. And I have a reason. I believe that like every emotion or feeling, you have a limitation.
I am feeling slightly pressurized about time, can I get another five six minutes please…may I sir… Rajiv Mehrotra “yes you can”
You can see upto a point. And you can’t see further. You can hear upto a point, but beyond that you won’t be able to register sounds. You can mourn upto a point and then you will get over your mourning. You will feel happy upto a point and then you will be through with your happiness. Same way, I am sure that you have a certain capacity for nobility also. You can be as noble and no more. Now suppose if we count this capacity for nobility in the average man as ten units, now anybody who goes to pray in a mosque five times is consuming his five units, there anybody who goes to the temple or sits in the feet of the Guru, he is consuming his quota of nobility there. And in a totally non-productive manner. I don’t go to pray. I don’t pray. If I don’t go to any guru, or mosque or temple or church, what do I do with my quota of nobility. I will have to help somebody, feed somebody, give shelter to somebody. People who use their quota in worshipping, praying, adoring religious figures and spiritual figures, in spite of that, if they are left with some nobility, hats off to them.
You may ask me, that if I have this kind of ideas about religious people, why should I show such reverence for Krishan and Kabir and Gautam? You can ask me. I’ll tell you why I respect them. These were the great contributors in the human civilization. They were born in different points of time in history, in different situations. But one thing is common in them. They stood up against injustice. They fought for the downtrodden. Whether it was Ravana, or Kansha or the pharaoh or the high priests or the British Samrajya in front of Gandhi – or the communal empire of Firoze Tughlaq in the times of Kabir, they stood against that.
And what surprises me, and confirms my worst feelings, that today, the enlightened people who know the cosmic truth, none of them stand up against the powers that be. None of them raises his voice against the ruling classes and the privileged classes. Charity, yes, when it is approved and cleared by the establishment and the powers that be. But I want to know which was that guru which took the dalits to those temples which are still closed to them. I want to know which was that guru who stood for the rights of the Adivasis against the thekedaars and contractors. I want to know which was that guru who spoke about the victims of Gujarat and went to their relief camps. They are human beings.
Sir…It is not enough to teach the rich how to breathe. It is the rich mans recreation. It is the hypocrites’ pretension. It is a mischievous deception. And you know that in the oxford dictionary, mischievous deception is a term that is used for a word, and that word is…HOAX.
Thank you.
Taken from http://www.javedakhtar.com/itc.htm
I loved these words of an atheist . True for every word .But at the end of the day Quoting hisown words , I prefer to call every thing that is called NATURE as GOD.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SPEECH BY JAVED AKHTAR at INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE.
I am quite sure ladies and gentlemen, that in this august assembly nobody would envy my position at this moment. Speaking after such a charismatic and formidable personality like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is like coming out of the pavilion to play after Tendulkar has made a sparkling century. But in some weak moment I had committed myself.
There are certain things that I would like to make very clear at the very outset. Don’t get carried away by my name – Javed Akhtar. I am not revealing a secret, I am saying something that I have said many times, in writing or on TV, in public…I am an atheist, I have no religious beliefs. And obviously I don’t believe in spirituality of some kind. Some kind.
Another thing. I am not standing here to criticize, analyze, or attack this gentleman who is sitting here. We have a very pleasant, civilized relation. I have always found him to be an extremely courteous person.
One is talking about an idea, an attitude, a mindset. Not any individual.
I must tell you that when Rajeev opened this session, for a moment I felt that I have come to the wrong place. Because, if we are discussing the philosophy of Krishan and Gautam and Kabir, Vivekanand, then I have nothing to say. I can sit down right now. I am not here to discuss a glorious past of which I suppose every Indian is proud, and rightly so. I am here to discuss a dubious present.
India Today has invited me and I have come here to talk of spirituality today. Let’s not be confused by this word spirituality, you can find two people with the same name and they can be totally different people. Ram Charit Manas was written by Tulsidas. And the television film has been made by Ramanand Sagar. Ramayan is common but I don’t think it would be very wise to club Tulsidas with Ramanand Sagar. I remember, when he had written Ramcharit Manas, he had faced a kind of a social boycott. How could he write a holy book in such a language like Avadhi? Sometimes I wonder fundamentalists of all hues and all colors, religions and communities…how similar they are. In 1798, a gentleman called Shah Abdul Qadir, in this very city, for the first time translated Quran in Urdu, and all the ulemas of that time gave fatwa against him that how could he translate this holy book in such a heathen language.
When Tulsi wrote Ramcharit Manas and he was boycotted, I remember a chowpai that he had written.
“Dhut kaho abdhut kaho rajput kaho ki julawa kohu
Kohu ki beti se beta na biahab, kohu ki jaat bigaar na chahu
Mang ke khaibo, mehjid ma raihbo, lebe ka ek na debe ka dohu”
Ramanand Sagar, when he made his television serial, he made millions. I am not undermining him, but obviously he is much lower in the rung.
I will give you another example. Perhaps it would be more direct and more appropriate. Gautam came out of a palace and went into wilderness to find the truth. But nowadays we see, the modern age gurus, come out of the wilderness and wind up in the palaces. They are moving in the opposite direction. We can’t talk of them in the same breath. So let us not hide behind names which are dear and respectable for every Indian.
When I was invited to give this talk, I felt that yes, I am an atheist, try to be a rationalist in any given situation, Maybe that’s why I have been called. But suddenly I have realized that there is another quality that I share with Modern Age gurus. I work in films. We have lot in common. Both of us, sell dreams, both of us create illusions, both of us create icons, but with a difference. After three hours we put a placard – the end. Go back to reality. They don’t.
So ladies and gentlemen, let me make it very clear that I have come to talk of this spirituality that has a supermarket in the world. Arms, drugs and spirituality – these are the three big businesses in the world. But in arms and drugs you really have to do something, give something. That’s the difference. Here you don’t have to give anything.
In this supermarket you get instant Nirvana, Moksha by mail, a crash course in self realization, cosmic consciousness in four easy lessons. This supermarket has its chain all over the world, where the restless elite buy spiritual fast food. I am talking about this spirituality.
Plato in his dialogues has said many a wise thing, and one of them is – before starting any discussion decide on the meanings of words. Let us try to decide on the meaning of this word spirituality. Does it mean love for mankind that transcends all religion, caste, creed, race? Is that so? Then I have no problem. Except that I call it humanity. Does it mean love of plants, trees, mountains, oceans, rivers, animals? The non-human world? If that is so, again I have no problem at all. Except that I call it environmental consciousness. Does spirituality mean heartfelt regard for social institutions like marriage, parenthood, fine arts, judiciary, freedom of expression. I have no problem again sir, how can I disagree here? I call it civil responsibility. Does spirituality mean going into your own world trying to understand the meaning of your own life? Who can object on that? I call it self-introspection, self assessment. Does spirituality mean Yoga? Thanks to Patanjali, who has given us the details of Yoga, Yam, Yatam, aasan, pranayam…We may do it under any name, but if we are doing pranayam, wonderful. I call it healthcare. Physical fitness.
Now is it a matter of only semantics. If all this is spirituality, then what is the discussion. All these words that I have used are extremely respectable and totally acceptable words. There is nothing abstract or intangible about them. So why stick to this word spirituality? What is there in spirituality that has not been covered by all these words? Is there something? If that is so then what is that?
Somebody in return can ask me what is my problem with this word. I am asking to change it, leave it, drop it, make it obsolete but why so? I will tell you what is my reservation. If spirituality means all this then there is no discussion. But there is something else which makes me uneasy. In a dictionary, the meaning of spirituality is rooted in a word called “spirit”. When mankind didn’t know whether this earth is round or flat, he had decided that human beings are actually the combination of two things. Body and spirit. Body is temporary, it dies. But the spirit is, shall I say, non-biodegradable. In your body you have a liver and heart and intestines and the brain, but since the brain is a part of the body, and mind lies within the brain, it is inferior because ultimately the brain too shall die with the body, but don’t worry, you are not going to die, because you are your spirit, and the spirit has the supreme consciousness that will remain, and whatever problem you have is because you listen to your mind. Stop listening to your mind. Listen to your spirit – the supreme consciousness that knows the cosmic truth. All right. It’s not surprising that in Pune there is an ashram and I used to go there. I loved the oratory. On the gate of the lecture hall there was a placard. Leave your shoes and minds here. There are other gurus who don’t mind if you carry your shoes. But minds?…sorry.
Now, if you leave your mind what do you do? You need the Guru to find the next station of consciousness. That hides somewhere in the spirit. He has reached the supreme consciousness, he knows the supreme truth. But can he tell you. No sir, he cannot tell you. So can you find out on your own? No sir, you need the guru for that. You need him but he cannot guarantee that you will know the ultimate truth… and what is that ultimate truth? What is the cosmic truth? Relating to cosmos? I have really not been able to understand that. The moment we step out of the solar system the first star is Alpha.Centueri It is just four light years away. How do I relate to that!! What do I do!!
So the emperor is wearing robes that only the wise can see. And the emperor is becoming bigger and bigger. And there are more and more wise people who are appreciating the robe.
I used to think that actually spirituality is the second line of defence for the religious people. When they get embarrassed about traditional religion, when it starts looking too down-market, they hide behind this smokescreen of cosmos and super consciousness. But that is not the complete truth. Because the clientele of traditional religion and spirituality is different. You take the map of the world, you start marking places which are extremely religious, within India or outside India, Asia, Latin America, Europe…wherever. You will find that wherever there is lot of religion there is lack of human rights. There is repression. Anywhere. Our Marxist friends used to say that religion is the opium of poor masses, the sigh of the oppressed. I don’t want to get into that discussion. But spirituality nowadays is definitely the tranquilizer of the rich.
You see that the clientele is well heeled, it is the affluent class. Alright, so the guru gets power, high self esteem, status, wealth…(which is not that important), power…and lot of wealth too. What does the disciple get? When I looked at them carefully I realized that there are categories and categories of these disciples. It’s not a monolith. There are different kinds of followers. Different kinds of disciples. One, who is rich, successful, doing extremely well in his life, making money, gaining property. Now, since he has everything he wants absolution too. So guru tells him – whatever you are doing, is “niskaam karma” – you are playing a role, this is all “Maya”, the money that you are making everyday and the property that you are acquiring, you are not emotionally involved with it. You are just playing a role. You come to me because you are in search of eternal truth. Maybe your hands are dirty, but your spirit and soul are pure. And this man, he starts feeling wonderful about himself. For seven days he is exploiting the world, and at the end of the seven days when he goes and sits at the feet of the guru, he feels – I am a sensitive person.
There is another category. That too comes from the affluent class. But he is not the winner like the first one. You know winning or losing that is also relative. A rickshaw-wallah if he is gambling on the pavement and wins hundred rupees will feel victorious, and if a corporate man makes only 300 million dollars, while his brother is a billionaire, he will feel like a failure. Now, what does this rich failure do? He needs a guru to tell him – who says that you have failed? You have other worlds, you have another vision, you have other sensibility that your brother doesn’t have. He thinks that he is successful…wrong. The world is very cruel, you know. The world tells you honestly, no sir, you have got three out of ten. The other person has seven out of ten. Fair. They will treat you that way and they will meet you that way. There he gets compassion. There he plays another game.
Another category. And I will talk about this category not with contempt or with any sense of superiority, not any bitterness, but all the compassion available one that is a very big client of this modern day guru and today’s spirituality, is the unhappy rich wife.
Here is a person who put all her individuality, aspirations and dreams, and her being at the altar of marriage and in return she got an indifferent husband. Who at the most gave her a couple of children. Who is rather busy with his work, or busy with other women. This woman needs a shoulder. She knows that she is an existential failure. There is nothing to look forward to. She has a vacuous, empty, comfortable yet purposeless life. It’s sad, but it is true.
Then there are other people. Who are suddenly traumatized. They lose a child. The wife dies. The husband dies. Or they lose the property, they lose their business. Something happens that shocks them and they ask – why me? So who do they ask? They go to the Guru. And the guru tells him that this is Karma. But there is another world if you follow me. Where there is no pain. Where there is no death. Where there is immortality. Where there is only bliss. He tells all these unhappy souls – follow me and I will take you to the heaven, to the paradise, where there is no pain. I am sorry sir, it is disappointing but true that there is no such paradise. Life will always have a certain quota of pain, of hurts, a possibility of defeats. But they do get some satisfaction.
Somebody may ask me if they are feeling better, if they are getting peace then what is your problem. It reminds me of a story that I have read. It’s an old Indian story told by a sage, that a hungry dog finds a dry bone and tries to eat it and in the process bites its own tongue. And the tongue is bleeding and the dog feels that he is getting nourishment from the bone.
I feel sad. I don’t want them, these adults, to behave like this because I respect them. Drugs and alcohol are also supposed to give mental peace and serenity, but is that kind of piece or serenity desirable or advisable? The answer is no. Any mental peace that is not anchored in rational thoughts is nothing but self-deception. Any serenity that takes you away from truth is just an illusion – a mirage. I know that there is a kind of a security in this which is like the security of a tri-cycle. If you are riding a tri-cycle you can’t fall. But adults do not ride tricycles. They ride bi-cycles. They can even fall. It is a part of life.
There is one more kind. Like everybody who is the member of the golf club is not fond of golf. In the same way everybody who is seen in an ashram is not a spiritual person. A film producer who is an ardent follower of a guru, whose ashram is about two hours from Delhi once told me that you must go to my Guru. You will see the who’s who of Delhi there. Let me tell you my Guruji is another Chandraswami in the making. Now this is a contact point for networking.
I have great respect for people who are spiritual, or religious, and in spite of this they are good people. And I have a reason. I believe that like every emotion or feeling, you have a limitation.
I am feeling slightly pressurized about time, can I get another five six minutes please…may I sir… Rajiv Mehrotra “yes you can”
You can see upto a point. And you can’t see further. You can hear upto a point, but beyond that you won’t be able to register sounds. You can mourn upto a point and then you will get over your mourning. You will feel happy upto a point and then you will be through with your happiness. Same way, I am sure that you have a certain capacity for nobility also. You can be as noble and no more. Now suppose if we count this capacity for nobility in the average man as ten units, now anybody who goes to pray in a mosque five times is consuming his five units, there anybody who goes to the temple or sits in the feet of the Guru, he is consuming his quota of nobility there. And in a totally non-productive manner. I don’t go to pray. I don’t pray. If I don’t go to any guru, or mosque or temple or church, what do I do with my quota of nobility. I will have to help somebody, feed somebody, give shelter to somebody. People who use their quota in worshipping, praying, adoring religious figures and spiritual figures, in spite of that, if they are left with some nobility, hats off to them.
You may ask me, that if I have this kind of ideas about religious people, why should I show such reverence for Krishan and Kabir and Gautam? You can ask me. I’ll tell you why I respect them. These were the great contributors in the human civilization. They were born in different points of time in history, in different situations. But one thing is common in them. They stood up against injustice. They fought for the downtrodden. Whether it was Ravana, or Kansha or the pharaoh or the high priests or the British Samrajya in front of Gandhi – or the communal empire of Firoze Tughlaq in the times of Kabir, they stood against that.
And what surprises me, and confirms my worst feelings, that today, the enlightened people who know the cosmic truth, none of them stand up against the powers that be. None of them raises his voice against the ruling classes and the privileged classes. Charity, yes, when it is approved and cleared by the establishment and the powers that be. But I want to know which was that guru which took the dalits to those temples which are still closed to them. I want to know which was that guru who stood for the rights of the Adivasis against the thekedaars and contractors. I want to know which was that guru who spoke about the victims of Gujarat and went to their relief camps. They are human beings.
Sir…It is not enough to teach the rich how to breathe. It is the rich mans recreation. It is the hypocrites’ pretension. It is a mischievous deception. And you know that in the oxford dictionary, mischievous deception is a term that is used for a word, and that word is…HOAX.
Thank you.
Taken from http://www.javedakhtar.com/itc.htm
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